I had to write to let you know what a wonderful staff you have working for Springwell. I was at my wits end wondering where to turn with my husband who has dementia. Emily put the rainbow in the sky for me – I wanted to just cry with relief and joy. I had my first night’s sleep in months and I have you to thank for it.

Providing or arranging for the care of someone else, can be complicated in many ways: logistically, physically, and emotionally. It can be overwhelming to navigate the maze of services available, to deal with the conflicting feelings that can come up about the person being cared for, and to take care of one’s own physical and emotional needs.

OVERVIEW

The Caregiver Support Program helps those who provide care make informed decisions, solve problems, reduce stress, and maintain overall physical and emotional health. A consultation with the Caregiver Specialist often includes an assessment of care-giving needs, suggestions about resource options, and follow-up assistance. The Caregiver Specialist is also available for family meetings to help multiple caregivers identify and communicate their role in the care of a loved one. The Caregiver Specialist and the caregiver work together to create a caregiver action plan.

WHY SPRINGWELL

The Caregiver Specialist, drawing on Springwell’s 40+ years of experience, has extensive knowledge on a range of topics challenging caregivers. She can help you whether you are coping with changes due to Alzheimer’s disease, need advice on adapting a home for safety and independence, or need help locating subsidized funds for caregiver self-care. The Caregiver Specialist shares tools and resources to help with long term care planning. The Caregiver’s Notebook, designed by Springwell, is an aid for caregivers to have a central place to record and document the important aspects of care. It can also be a tool for communication between family members who are sharing the care of a loved one.